1. Members received a boisterous greeting upon entering the premises. Waitress Nancy recounted the story of the wine spill at our January 14 meeting, which she had told Erin. We all had a good laugh and took our seats at the traditional corner table. HVBS Official Waitress Erin then took our drink orders: PC Wiz ordering a Sam Adams (reminded correctly by Geronimo that Killian's Red was his favorite beer). The other members, opting for wine, asked what other wine types were available. Among the regular selections, Erin noted an Italian wine she recommended - and offered a sample. Members, no surprise, accepted the free taste test and unanimously (PC Wiz changing his mind) ordered the Italian red table wine.
2. Members took up the menus to select our lunch fare. Geronimo expressed his impression that the menu appeared different. Yes, Erin explained, it had been reprinted using a smaller font. Geronimo, noting that he did not have his glasses, could not read the menu so Erin offered him the use of her glasses. Everyone now able to read the menus, we made our orders with Shadow and Geronimo opting for a second glass of the wine. Geronimo started the "member updates" by mentioning he has been diagnosed with macular degeneration. He is taking quite expensive pills for the condition; very similar to the expensive supplement that Deliberator gets from his ophthalmologist. PC Wiz stated he has, for many years, taken a generic "Ocuvite" type. Shadow inquired how Deliberator's burns had healed. He explained that he is now using cocoa butter on the affected skin, having been discharged from the St. Clare's burn center after the blisters had healed.
3. As to his "polymyalgia rheumatica" ( Greek for "pain in many muscles"): Deliberator says it is a little better. Geronimo reported that he had seen a Stop & Shop market ad offering free anti-biotics; PC Wiz mentioned Walmart's $4 generic prescription drugs and that he had just received his first order from CVS Caremark, the new GE mail-order supplier (GE has switched from Medco Health). He was surprised that one of his generics cost less with CVS ($19.06 instead of $30 co-pay). Geronimo informed us that IBM has Medco coverage (the company Randy works for) and that, possibly, GE found CVS cheaper. Geronimo also mentioned he had gone two months with an expired auto-inspection and asked us how gasoline prices were up our way. Deliberator and Shadow gave $1.999 as the local price; Geronimo said "across the river" it had held at $2.059 - always higher since Dutchess County is included in the NYC Metropolitan Area relative to the MTA.
4. Shadow then informed HVBS members that Randy has bought a newer car to replace his Audi which he uses to commute to Medco's New Jersey headquarters. He bought a "like-new" 2006 E320 Mercedes that he found on the Internet from a Mercedes dealer in Doylestown, PA. It has a very smooth, quiet diesel engine and he expects great mileage (36 MPG from PA). Geronimo mentioned that Danny is considering a new model VW, questioning why these young fellows like German cars so much. When asked his plans, Deliberator stated he is not presently looking for a car. Shadow would likely have purchased a Dodge Avenger but didn't like the styling. So he invested in new tires, etc. in his present Dodge Stratus and intends to keep it instead of a new car. Geronimo confessed that he had hit a curb with his Acura, bending the wheel and requiring a new tire. PC Wiz asked what brand of tire he purchased and Geronimo thought it was a Continental - a German brand tire, very high quality. Amidst much good-natured bantering over hitting a curb Shadow had to relate an embarrassing story about PC Wiz hitting a curb while parking in North Troy. Contrary to Shadow's lurid account the only damage was to the wheel cover which PC Wiz replaced.
5. Continuing with member updates, Geronimo related an incident with Max Keita. Chaco had left Max in the center of the bed and left the room for a moment. In that short time Max managed to fall off the bed and injure his head. Dan and Chaco took him to Boston Children's Hospital, an outstanding institution, and he is doing fine. Geronimo informed us that they are going to visit Japan in early April and are applying for a passport for Max Keita. PC Wiz asked Deliberator how grandson Ryan fared in the Huck Finn Tournament and Shadow mentioned he had seen Deliberator on TV in the audience. Deliberator opined that the TV coverage affected Ryan's game and he was not in top form. His bowling season is now over but SCCC won their conference and Ryan came in third in junior college MVP highest average. Shadow inquired how he is doing scholastically and Deliberator replied, "fair". When Shadow stated that he had high goals, Deliberator said the goals have been lowered. News of grandson Mark is that his Dunkin' Donuts will be closed until June for renovation - being 10 years in operation. The service center has a new owner and will be completely refurbished. Hopefully, Mark will be able to move to another location.
6. Geronimo asked members about how they handle the house screens. He finds it a chore to remove, clean and store the screens. PC Wiz leaves his storm windows up all year to keep heat in for the Winter and out in the Summer. Deliberator stated that he has a lot of ice storm damage to be cleaned up in his back yard "war zone" but the grass is presently too soft. PC Wiz is expecting his "tree guys" shortly to remove several "widow makers" and heavy limbs including yard "clean-up". His chain-link fence can then be repaired. It suffered two fence posts and connecting tubing damage. Shadow, perusing the Official Agenda, asked Geronimo to explain his comment about PC Wiz telephoning him just to "bullshit". Geronimo confirmed his bafflement but affirmed they had a pleasant discussion. Shadow, on a technical note, then asked about Geronimo's hard-drive noise. PC Wiz noted that, if present, failure was imminent. Files should be backed-up and a new drive installed. However, Shadow dug deeper and it is possible the noise is coming from the cooling fan, which can be quite noisy. We shall see.
7. We finally proceeded to discussing the news. Shadow enjoyed watching the AIG CEO being "racked over the grill" even though he is the new man appointed by the government. Geronimo reiterated how much he enjoys the penetrating news analysis of Charles Krauthammer on Fox News. PC Wiz seconded the opinion that he is an experienced journalist of the "old school". Shadow was surprised that Dick Morris (also on Fox News) openly called President Obama a Socialist (his policies are certainly increasing government control of our society). Which prompted Geronimo to announce that he has dropped his support of the U.S. English project and is making no more contributions (to make English the official language) because he feels it is quite hopeless. HVBS members commented on the e-mail (Her name is "Ms. Ann") Geronimo sent us with a black minister discussing the Obama administration. PC Wiz was surprised that a slave convention would still be in use (as in Mr. Charlie and Ms. Ann for white employers). At which point Shadow mentioned the current "brouhaha" over comedian Jackie Mason's calling Obama a "schwartze", which is "black" in German.
8. Geronimo announced he is working on his 2008 income taxes and waiting to the last minute to file - as many people do. PC Wiz and Deliberator have already filed and are awaiting their refunds because of lower incomes due to the investments melt-down last Fall. Deliberator informed us that NY State will require e-filing next year, causing difficulties for people with no computers (such as many elderly people in Deliberator's church congregation).
9. In Sports Geronimo asked Shadow how the NY Rangers were doing. Shadow said they are "coming together" after a slow start which has affected their playoff chances. The Sienna basketball contest with Ohio State was discussed with Deliberator opining that they "have a chance". Concerning the NY Yankees, Deliberator said they have a decent pitching staff and Geronimo stated that they look very good "on paper". Shadow commented on the impressive performance of CC Sabathia in pre-season games. Concerning Arod, Deliberator felt he could not be depended on in "clutch" situations. Shadow agreed that he is not a "team player", self-centered and not dependable when a hit is really needed. In a comment on the NY Giants, Shadow flatly stated that Plaxico Burress is "going to jail".
10. HVBS Official Waitress Erin removed our luncheon plates and asked if anyone was interested in dessert. Deliberator asked what was available and we were informed they had no cheesecake (PC Wiz's standby). With coffee (a refill for Deliberator) and a couple of desserts we proceeded to the schedule of our next very special meeting where we will celebrate Deliberator's "big 8-0" birthday! HVBS Official Scheduler Deliberator proposed a shorter five week schedule, Wednesday April 22, 2009 for our next conclave. Members ratified the date and the meeting adjourned.

Thanks to Geronimo and Deliberator for their review and correction of the minutes.

HVBS Official Scribe Laureate PC Wiz

March 28, 2009